Rock College
Nearly 100 veterans, or about 60% of UGA’s total enrollment during the Civil War, enrolled at University High School, later called the “Rock College” (Dyer, 112).
Veteran Education Legislation
The Georgia Assembly approved veteran legislation to “‘educate the indigent maimed soldiers of Georgia…’ The legislation intended to provide teacher training for soldiers who because of their war injuries could not hold jobs requiring extensive physical activity.” This bill allowed veterans of the war to attend the university with free tuition, books, board, and tutoring,…
UGA Reopens
The University reopened on January 5, 1866 after being closed since 1863 (Dyer, 106-107, 110).
Pre-Civil War
Two of UGA’s most famous students include Henry L. Benning and John B. Gordon. Benning graduated from UGA in 1834 and Gordon unexpectedly dropped out in 1852, but both men later became generals in the Confederate Army. Today, Forts Benning and Gordon, Georgia bear their names.